Empowering women: The inspiring journey of Nomsa Mdhluli from journalism to entrepreneurship

Nomsa Mdhluli's journey from journalism to entrepreneurship is an empowering tale of confidence and innovation. Initially, she never envisioned herself as an entrepreneur, stating, "I didn’t harbour dreams of being an entrepreneur some day." Her foray into business began when a client needed public relations assistance, a skill she had studied in her undergraduate years.

This initial PR work proved successful, leading Mdhluli to register her own PR company, Tishala Communications, in 2018 while still pursuing her broadcasting career.

Today, Tishala Communications has grown into an integrated communications agency offering various services, including public relations, digital marketing, media relations, stakeholder engagement, content development, media training, and reputation management. Mdhluli encourages women entering business to be confident in their talents and skills, urging them not to diminish their light due to their gender.

She began her media career at Primedia Group in Cape Town in 2010, working as a news anchor, reporter, and producer across multiple radio stations. In 2014, she moved to Primedia's Johannesburg headquarters before joining the SABC in 2015.

Throughout her broadcasting career, Mdhluli continued taking on PR work, eventually transitioning Tishala into her full-time business. Her agency has worked with various clients across sectors such as technology, artificial intelligence, fintech, financial services, education, public health, entrepreneurship, and youth development.

Quality service has been central to Tishala's growth, with the company providing above and beyond expectations for clients. Technology and innovation have also played a significant role in Tishala's work, particularly in addressing complex issues like identity fraud in various countries.

In 2023, Mdhluli made the courageous decision to leave full-time employment to focus solely on Tishala. This decision marked one of her biggest entrepreneurial leaps, as she now focuses on growing the business, supporting clients, and building a meaningful legacy. Building the right team has been a challenge for Mdhluli, but she advises women entrepreneurs to find great accountants and build a team with shared values.

Mdhluli also challenges assumptions about women leaders, arguing that empathy and effectiveness can go hand in hand. She believes leadership should be about delivering results while fostering collaboration, emotional intelligence, and inclusiveness. For Mdhluli, leadership is about bringing people along on the journey and proving that empathy and ambition are not mutually exclusive but rather a powerful combination.